Men’s SS13 Key Colour: Pink

Introduction

Having already had your mind opened to the option of orange for SS13, it’s time to strike while the brightly-tinted iron is hot and introduce another colour that is set to shape the coming season. As the title suggests, this colour is pink.

Cerise, fuchsia, salmon or rose, the hue has an obvious and significant cultural association with femininity. Therefore the colour is often shunned (or not taken into consideration at all) when piecing together the male wardrobe. Ironically, pink was once a popular colour for baby boys in the early 20th century.

This season, pink has been used widely in collections across the fashion spectrum – from statement blazers and suits available at the likes of Topman, Cos and Dondup, to bold metallics and more subtle prints at premium fashion houses such as Burberry.

So although the pink dress shirt is often considered part of a classic capsule wardrobe, this year it’s time to expand and grow – with confidence and gusto.

Pink On The SS13 Runways

How To Wear: Pink SS13

Pink plays right into the traditional spring/summer aesthetic. A lighter pastel shade is always a solid option when the sun begins to shine, helping to create the Riviera-inspired outfits that are perennially stylish. Pastel pink, alongside lightweight fabrics and similar subtle tones (e.g. white, off-white and light grey), is a combination worth championing this (and every) spring/summer.

A matte pink hue, akin to what was on show at Michael Bastian, is a bolder choice that doesn’t appear too brash. In particular, a matte pink shirt creates a solid contrast against a light coloured suit, yet isn’t dark enough to the point that it can’t support a tie – a fine balancing act that makes this particular piece an excellent addition to your wardrobe.

Matte variations also look superb when applied to coloured trousers or shorts. With preppy/Ivy League connotations, pink leg wear will pair effortlessly with other American prep-inspired pieces and your existing collection of smart-casual staples (think polos, Oxford shirts and lightweight merino wool).

Utilised correctly, they will inject a splash of colour and personality into any ensemble – just remember to anchor with more restrained neutrals in order to let the trousers do all the talking.

Men’s Pink Spring/Summer Lookbook Inspiration

Outfit Inspiration: Pink

Look One: Statement

A salmon pink jumper, despite being a great statement piece, is highly wearable for most occasions – another versatile wardrobe addition.

Anchor the bold jumper with some more sober tailored chino shorts. A sparse, understated print on your leg wear is an on trend and stylish move that will add more to the look than it takes away.

With the statement sorted, take a simpler approach to the rest of your ensemble. A plain block-coloured polo is the way forward, so layer one underneath the sweatshirt before finishing off with some timeless tassel loafers in tasteful brown leather:

Allsaints Bramford Polo

A.p.c. Loopback-cotton Sweatshirt

Topman Navy Chino Leaf Shorts

Polo Ralph Lauren Arscott Tassel Loafers

Look Two: Pastel

Combine two major colour trends in one look with a pair of light pastel pink chinos worn alongside a sky blue button-down.

Roll up the sleeves to fight the height of summer or, if the weather remains warm but not hot, layer up with a white blazer – something that has become somewhat of a spring/summer staple in recent years.

Finally, finish off the look with some grey suede shoes. A frequently underused colour when it comes to footwear, grey is just as versatile and easy to wear on your feet as it is everywhere else:

Dr. Denim Pete Light Blue Shirt

Asos Slim Fit Suit Jacket In Cotton

Band Of Outsiders Cotton Chino Trousers 152984

Topman Morris Suede Shoes

Look Three: Office Appropriate

Suiting up in summer is often an unfortunate prospect (especially when combined with a sticky commute and office air-con that is less than effective), so when the mercury rises, reach for lightweight fabrics. If your dress code allows it, unstructured tailoring will also prove less stifling and should help you remain cooler.

Suiting up in summer is often an unfortunate prospect (especially when combined with a sticky commute and office air-con that is less than effective), so when the mercury rises, reach for lightweight fabrics. If your dress code allows it, unstructured tailoring will also prove less stifling and should help you remain cooler.

Reiss Zinc Two Button Poplin Shirt Pink

Boglioli Unstructured Cotton And Linen-blend Blazer

Reiss Cutler Silk Knitted Tie Wine Berry

Allsaints Ravine Pocket Square Set

Topman Black Slim Trousers

Allsaints Merit Shoe

Look Four: Off-Duty

Take an altogether more casual approach to pink by opting for knee-length shorts in a matte rose tone. Pair with a relaxed white shirt and minimalist sneakers for an off-duty day look that will become one of your go-to outfits for the season.

Finally, when the sun begins to set or the wind picks up, layer a lightweight hoody over the top:

Allsaints Solitaire Shirt

James Perse Lightweight Loopback Cotton-jersey Hoodie

Asos Chino Shorts In Longer Length

Common Projects Achilles Low Sneakers

Current Key Pink Pieces

American Apparel Fine Jersey Short Sleeve T-shirt

Allsaints Cadfer Reverse T-shirt

J.crew Cotton Oxford Shirt

Farah Vintage Dempsy Raspberry Crew Sweatshirt

Ben Sherman Jumper With Crew Neck And Pocket

Reiss Jude Mercerised Cotton V-neck Jumper Fuchsia

Reiss Juke Mutli Yarn Crew Neck Jumper Rose

Uniqlo Men Dry Jersey Jacket

He By Mango Cotton Oxford Blazer

Michael Bastian Cotton And Linen-blend Trousers

Allsaints Catamaran Swim Shorts

Topman Pink Chino Shorts

Skinny Tie

Striped Knitted Mulberry Silk Tie

Pantone Pink Crew Socks

Bale Kg Kurt Geiger

Asos Loafers In Suede With Fringe Detail

Saucony X Solebox Mens Shadow 5000 Sneakers

Conclusion

They say that real men wear pink. Whoever ‘they’ are, we agree they have a point and that it’s time to reclaim the colour from the fairer sex. Integrate it into all areas of your wardrobe this season, from office wear – a pink shirt is always a great option to have in your rotation – to off-duty casuals in the form of knits, shorts and shoes.

Whether you choose to make a statement or utilise pink as an accent, it is fast becoming a contender for colour of the season.

But now we want to hear your view:

Are you a man with a penchant for pink?

Do you regularly work a pink shirt into your office wear rotation?

Do you like to get bold with the colour in your casual clothes?

How will you be styling pink when the heat picks up?

Let us know in the comments section…

Share this article:

There Are 11 Comments

Paul Posted On 2nd April 2013:

I had a girlfriend once who loved men to where pink, so I obliged. Since then I regularly adorn a pink shirt. pink socks and fuschia jumper (not all at the same time) to work. Pink shirt, chocolate brown trousers and navy blazer is my thing at the moment. I also possess a pastel pink blazer bought relatively from H and M a few years ago which is incredibly versatile and fantastic to wear when the sun’s out(!).

Wearing pink does have its dangers however even in this liberal and tolerant age. I remember a few years ago wearing pastel pink chinos on the tube heading into London. The train pulled into a station and about twenty football fans piled into the carriage, spotted my sartorial elegance and immediately embarked on some hardcore intimidation saying things like ‘hands up who’s had anal sex today’ and such like. After several stops I had to get off, grateful that I hadn’t been assaulted.

Pink continues to be a favourite of mine though despite past traumers and is fine when with my girlfriend or my metrosexual male friends. But I wont be wearing the pink blazer to the next Arsenal fixture (Pink football strip anyone?)

Good article, although I think there should be a little caveat somewhere in there – sometimes it seems to me like guys pick up that pink is in again, see a couple people wear pastel pink shirts and then – like they think they have to make up for their late arrival on the trend – appear in bright magenta chinos the next day, completely overdoing it and giving the people around them eye cancer.

Maybe that’s just me, but men should steer clear of any overly saturated shade of pink. Desaturated shades – light and dark – are very welcome in my wardrobe – lavender, salmon, coral, carmine, all those work really well and can be beautifully combined with an array of other colors without clashing.

Adilsafir Posted On 5th April 2013:

I definitely agree with you, i was about to say only the lighter pastel shades are more acceptable but saturation is the word i was looking for. Im not sure about the darker shades of pink as they are usually too bold and not my thing. A few things i wouldnt go for are pink shorts, footwear, and anything else below the belt apart from socks.

I also think that this trend works with more typically masculine items like suits and shirts but it also works with staples like t shirts (if you have the figure for it) polo’s are a safe bet and lightweight jumpers.

Well thats my opinion anyway.

Frank Posted On 3rd April 2013:

I regularly wear pink shirt escpecially polos. I like the colour and the brightness it adds to your outfit. It give a tang of “magic” into a rather boring outfit. This is also the reason why i wear turquoise. I have pink pants too. Men should not discriminate against any colours! Wear what works best!

Endora Posted On 3rd April 2013:

I like the pink bomber worn with blue pants. Pink suede loafer count me in. I once wore head to toe salmon tone and a little arab girl look at me like I’m a barbie doll.

Ese Posted On 24th April 2013:

the pink colours are toned down and lovely.

Wilson Posted On 16th May 2013:

My chinos is darker pink,so what colour of t-shirt match ?

Sekhar Posted On 14th June 2013:

Excellent article! Given society’s stereotypes towards the colour, wearing pink is all about confidence. I love wearing my slim dull pink Paul Smith jeans, or my brighter pink shorts rolled up to show a little thigh during Spring/Summer. As the article stated it’s crucial to team items of pink clothing with more neutral tones to avoid looking like a walking rainbow, but to a lesser extent it’s also important to wear the correct shade of pink to go with your skin complexion (or perhaps avoid the shades that won’t go!), particularly with larger pieces such as jeans, shirts or jackets/blazers.

Jsand Posted On 23rd July 2013:

I tend to wear harsh shades of fluorescent pink, but I typically tone those down with darker shades of blue for contrast, or sometimes even black.

These Comments Are Now Closed...

As this article is over a year old, the comments are now closed.

If you have a specific question about one of the points raised in the article, why not join our free fashion & style forum and start a thread? The FashionBeans community will always do their best to help you out, and our writers also frequent the forums regularly.